Pantagraph.com | News | Obama’s speech on race may have saved campaign, analysts say

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 27, 2008 10:19 AM:

" The task of all of us is fine tuning our relations with people. Obama is a "child of the future" considering the dramatic rise in inter-racial marriages & thankfully he's proof his mixed race isn't blocking his chances to be our president. The issue is Obama's experience and qualifications not his half hearted understanding of his "cringeful" racist "typically" white grandmother & her "typically racist generation." It's Obama's whole hearted defense of black racism by bringing up things most people are no longer guilty of. A few are still intolerant enough to be hurtful, yes...from all races and mixes. As soon as we can register to vote as members of the HUMAN race, the better. His white grandmother probably never got over the mix, but as he said, really loved him. That is probably also "typical" of most "whites" & I hope typical of "blacks" as well. I, too, am a "mix-breed" (as most people) which has made easier for me to respect others and befriend the ones who have "content of character." "

94mustang5 wrote on Mar 26, 2008 3:19 PM:

" Mccain does not support the issues I support, neither do Clinton or Obama. The only difference I see is that Mccain says what he thinks even when he knows it will cost him. Obama and Clinton both spend too much time twisting the facts to make themselves look good. "

nuthindoin wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Re: Jimmychoogirl - you can't pick your family. But you CAN pick your church. "

Patriot wrote on Mar 26, 2008 10:04 AM:

" Wait, didn't Obam say he would consider attack Pakistan, a country with eight times as many people as Iraq. What lunacy is that? I knew he was being groom for a future president in the 2004 Democratic Convention when he gave the main speech. I heard it and it was blase, but then the announcers said what an incredibly inspiring speech it was. I was shocked. I heard Martin Luther King's speech "I have a dream.." and JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you..." But Obama's speech wouldn't even be that inspiring on a soap opera...err, maybe it would, as their standards are pretty low... "

truthseeker wrote on Mar 25, 2008 8:14 PM:

" chapter 14 page 293 he talks about setting in church and listing to write preach about "Hiroshima' hm sounds familiar and also talks about how he agreed with the church creed page 284, I think he is still not being honest. I have the book and read it myself. Dreams from my father

"

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Mar 25, 2008 2:44 PM:

" So Obama sits in church on Sundays and listens to his racist pastor go on about whites & America.

OUR PRESIDENT that most of you narrowminded repubs voted for can send our sons, daughters, moms, dads, brothers and sisters to fight a war that has no purpose and watch 4,000 people die and still defend him.

Gosh that Obama is such a bad man!

Ya know my parents/grandparents have said things in my life that I find completely disgusting and don't agree with but since they have been there for me my whole life (like Obama's pastor) I don't think I can just walk out and them and hate them. Loyalty is a good characteristic people!!! And just because you are loyal to someone doesn't mean you are like that person. DUH! "

udawgn wrote on Mar 25, 2008 8:58 AM:

" Wake up people...we are screwed no matter who gets elected. All candidates will look at what will best serve them before the people. I am so sick of hearing everyone bicker about who is better than who...doesn't matter because the next President will be the one who conceals their past the best. The best crook will always win in politics. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 24, 2008 1:20 PM:

" TO: JUSTMYTHOUGHTS

I've often asked the same question and the only thing I've come up with that he's done is vote against, what is being called, the Guilty by Association bill. Which would have made it illegal for anybody on probation to associate with known gang members. The reasoning behind his vote was "It is almost impossible to not associate with gang members in the African American communities." HOW RASCIST IS THAT STATEMENT? And I presume he voted against it so he can hang out with people like Rezko. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Mar 24, 2008 12:41 AM:

" I would like to know more about how Obama came to be such good friends with Tony Rezko. It was reported just today that Rezko is being sued by the son of the late leader of the Nation of Islam, who claims that his father gave Rezko his start in business (before defrauding his father out of his home). Given the fact that Obama's church recently bestowed high honors on the current Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan, it would be interesting to know what other connections exist between Obama, Rezko, and the Nation of Islam. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:53 PM:

" Did his speech save the campaign? It might have saved us! The more he talks the more we know. Now let's see how many learn enough to not vote for him. "

cocoa wrote on Mar 23, 2008 1:07 PM:

" To: m ~ Obama lost me when he got involved with the Don Imus issue as well. And when Oprah endorsed him...well, that was the final nail in the coffin for me. I've watched Obama since he was elected senator. I had hope for him, until he decided to run for POTUS. He doesn't have enough experience, and there have been enough red flags in the last year that I simply cannot vote for him. If this were the 2012 election, maybe things would be different.

As for comments people inevitably make about Hillary standing by Bill when he had his affair... Give me a break. How many of you reading this have had affairs or had your spouse have an affair and you are still together? I don't condone adultery, but committing adultery does not mean you are completely worthless in every aspect of life. Think about it: if every person that's ever committed adultery were unemployed because their employer and co-workers assumed they could no longer do their jobs, how many people would that be? And how many of you would be in that boat? "

nuthindoin wrote on Mar 23, 2008 11:31 AM:

" I think a simple fact needs to be restated. You do not attend a church for 20 years unless you agree with what your pastor is preaching.

As a Christian I can tell you that if my pastor was to preach any one of the type of messages Pastor Wright preached, I would walk out and never come back. It's just that simple. "

Stoney wrote on Mar 23, 2008 9:11 AM:

" Mrs. Obama - She is finally proud to be an american. Some time in near future you will hear more information from her that will bring out true color. Mr. Obama - My grandmother is a typical white person. Need I say More. Wait till Obama, Jesse Jackson, Sharpton, and Farrakan, hook up together for a stratagey session.

"

JustMyThoughts wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:24 AM:

" Two things.

First, you have to love the media. They jump up and down about how wonderful this speech was, then turn around and poll each race for reactions, and run facts about "x% of whites respond this way, x% of African-Americans respond this way", and respective facts on how each group will vote. How is the election supposed to be non-racial when every report ON the election is based on racial statistics?

Second, as many of mentioned, where's the résumé? If I make a well-delivered, charismatic, motivational speech to the board of any corporation, am I then qualified to be the CEO??! Still nobody has answered this question, WHAT HAS HE DONE?? This is about running a country, OUR country, so if we're supposed to get past this as a nation, how about moving past this as a candidate and telling us what you'll do in office other than "change" it? "

ktlin wrote on Mar 22, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Also, I don't know how many times someone has said that Obama shouldn't refer to himself as black. As he has said just how much blackness is appropriate? Has someone not noticed his color? First someone asks if he is black enough and then someone says he is too black. I bet he is thinking," Just how much ignorance is appropriate?" People are running around saying I am not racist and then they turn around and show just how much they are. Grow up! This country can only be unified if all the parts want to be unified. Instead of thinking about how different we are perhaps we should be thinking how much we have in common and how many problems we need to join together to fix. Instead of spewing stupidity and divisiveness. No body can unify a country that does not want to be unified!!! "

ktlin wrote on Mar 22, 2008 9:43 AM:

" Obama is conveniently white and black? What are you conveniently? With brains and ways of thinking you can sometimes improve that. But so many people just forego that opportunity. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:29 PM:

" What we're about to see, if OBama wins the presidency, is AFIRMATIVE ACTION in its most extreme form. Sad, but a lot of people will be voting for him because he is, or at least, insists to be thought of as black first, but inconveniently also white.
Question...was Obama's blood or step father the Muslim and what's wrong with Hussein as a middle name? Using his middle name was ok for Franklin Delono Roosevelt. And how about Sen Clinton? Meh...I actually agree with most of what you said in the first and second paragraphs. I add that Obama is also NOT presidential timbre and stereotyping his white grandmother and cringing at her descriptions of males she feared is the pot calling the kettle black(no pun intended and I suppose it's still PC to call a black kettle the correct color.) My disdain with Obama is simply that he talks big but doesn't have what it takes to be president. Neither does Clinton and only just maybe does McCain. "

Meh wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:56 AM:

" VoiceInWilderness, Obama's step dad was a Muslim in the same way that my dad is a Catholic. Aside from weddings and funerals, my dad goes to Church on Holidays only. From what I read, its the same thing with Obama's step dad. He did it to keep up appearances. It sounds like you assume that when someone claims a religion, it means they're devout about it and influence their children to be as devout. Not true at all.

In any case, Obama is his own person. He's not Rev. Wright. He's not Jesse Jackson. He's not his father. Be careful of judging a person solely on the company he keeps. I think that most people have associated with less than admirable people that they generally disagree with. "

Mike wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:22 AM:

" Just a 'TYPICAL WHITE PERSON" voting for someone that has a clue, McCain! "

T wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:35 AM:

" I'm curious can anyone name one thing that Lincoln did prior to becoming president? I'm going to vote for him because I'm tired of the same ole stuff for the past 20 years. "

mixdown wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:05 AM:

" My goodness! Look, Obama is the scariest thing to come out of Chicago since the Rev. (how?) Jesse Jackson. Here's the deal. The fact that he's black has got nothing to do with anything. If he was a true Christian (yes, there is only one definition according to the Bible - get over it) and a conservative (which would generally suggest he would also have no associations with any of these clowns like Wright) I would be behind him all the way and he would surely get my vote. Trust me, I'm none too happy with McCain, either. "

Live Wire! wrote on Mar 20, 2008 9:33 PM:

" This guy is a piece of work. Throwing his grandma under the bus by comparing her to Wright, then coming back and saying, "I didn't mean anything by it, she's just a typical white person". Well, at least we now know who the bigot is. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 20, 2008 5:50 PM:

" Meh wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:58 PM:" VoiceInWilderness, interesting how your mind works. If they aren't Christian, they must have been a Muslim (or maybe even Jewish!!). Such a limited viewpoint. "
His dad was a Muslim...if I'm to believe his biography. How limited is that viewpoint? If his dad was a Jew or a Hindu, I would have put that word in. So, now, who has the most limited viewpoint? You have no idea how my mind works. It certainly isn't going to fall for Obama's sophistry...and what did he mean by his grandmother being a typical white woman? Typical? Then, he explained he meant "typical for her generation." What does that mean? Stereotypical? All whites of that generation were like her? Get real Meh. The man is being judged by the company he keeps. "

m wrote on Mar 20, 2008 3:24 PM:

" He was very quick to drop the hammer on Don Imus and his remarks. Obama stated he wouldn't have Imus working for him. But, he had Wright working for him knowing good and well that Wright had made and consistently makes strong racist statements. Seems like a double standard.. "

Red Reeky wrote on Mar 20, 2008 2:21 PM:

" Dead man walking! Obama is finished - he just doesn't know it yet. Even if he gets the Democratic nomination, the GOP will never let this go. They reportedly have hours of these kind of quotes, and I think we'll be seeing them for the next 6 months. Like it or not, negative works. His poll numbers are already down, and I think they'll keep heading that way. The only thing that might save him is that Hillary has just as much baggage, and McCain is a stiff. "

Crimson wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:57 PM:

" There's more to the quote, too. If you want to read it, or watch the video, google "Mike Huckabee on Obama's race speech". I'm quite sure you'll change your minds after listening to the most conservative candidate that won a causcus in the primary. "

Crimson wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:37 PM:

" You know, Mike Hukabee seems to think Obama's speech was effective. I know how many of the republicans who post on Pantagraph are big fans of him, so here you go
"[Obama] made the point, and I think it's a valid one, that you can't hold the candidate responsible for everything that people around him may say or do. You just can't. Whether it's me, whether it's Obama... anybody else. But he did distance himself from the very vitriolic statements. ..." "

C. Bluntsworth wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:16 PM:

" Zeva wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:57 PM:

" Anyone can write in here as along as they register. So prove to us that Mr. Wright wrote this last blog. The last I heard on TV was that he was in Africa. Not saying he couldn't have sent it from there, but come on, is he honestly taking the time to write in here and make a comment?

Did you honestly just ask someone to prove that the Rev. wrote that last blog? I guess the question is... did you honestly think that the Rev. DID write that blog? That is obviously a quote. No wonder you're not voting for Obama... because most educated people are. "

Meh wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:58 PM:

" VoiceInWilderness, interesting how your mind works. If they aren't Christian, they must have been a Muslim (or maybe even Jewish!!). Such a limited viewpoint.

From what I've read of Obama, he was never really into a faith before joining TUCC. His parents were more or less nonreligious so likely he was "spiritual" or even a big-bad Atheist, prior to joining TUCC. I have never read anything to indicate that he was ever a Muslim, besides some FOXNews/Rovian inspired nonsense email forwards from my mother-in-law. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:17 PM:

" "Mentor" keeps coming to mind in this. I would hope Obama has a mind of his own, but if Wright brought him to Christianity, what was he before? Muslim? How much of that remains part of his soul? It's obvious Obama chose to identify more with his African heritage by his lifestyle and major associations which is absolutely his right. Ronald Reagan's son certainly equally has the right to picture Wright as "rightwing racist" and Obama "far left." Michael wrote: "Everything Obama said was directed at suggesting that while Rev. Wright should not have used such inflammatory language, he was somehow justified because of America's white racism." "

katanauser wrote on Mar 20, 2008 9:34 AM:

" The fact that Mr Obama refused to reject Wright and remove his family to a more Christian church environment points up another concern. If Obama can not and will not confront Wright and deal with this bigotry, how is Obama competent or able to confront and head off problems from the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia (to name a very few)?? This will be his primary duty IF elected!!

I have no confidence Mr Obama can be an effective advocate for America and her interests, her allies and friends, nor will he be a force to be feared by our enemies.

All Mr Obama says is "Change!" Change what?? Obviously Mr Obama's diaper!! "

mikbrat00 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 8:49 AM:

" Kinda funny all the jabs at this man come from Hillary herself. What does she think some of us think about her for letting her husband walk all over her? He embarrassed her by sleeping with Monica Lewinski and she "stood by her man". Be a woman and leave. But she couldn't do THIS without HIM, and they knew ALL along this is what was to be. For everything there is a reason, and that is the reason she kept him, to become first woman president, or so she thought!! I do believe we are going to have our first black president though. "

The Cat wrote on Mar 20, 2008 8:46 AM:

" It is very heartening to hear all the support for Obummer’s “speech” especially from the “main stream” press. He needs to get the Dem nomination only because he is a more incompetent empty suit than the empty skirt, Shrillery, that it is his primary opponent. Her strength is only in her criminal political organization but that is a far bigger threat to the country than his radicalism and incompetence that are already beginning to show up. Although I will never vote for him because he is really a liberal in Republican clothing, McManaic at least looks competent compared to those two. Unfortunately, his multiple stands on many issues and his desire to “reach out” regardless of the facts of an issue or results of his solutions make him the wrong person to be chief executive at this time with the serious issues facing the country. We are all going to lose no matter who “wins” in November due to lack of real leadership and competence in these “candidates”. "

Zeva wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:57 PM:

" Anyone can write in here as along as they register. So prove to us that Mr. Wright wrote this last blog. The last I heard on TV was that he was in Africa. Not saying he couldn't have sent it from there, but come on, is he honestly taking the time to write in here and make a comment? I find this hard to believe. You can vote for anyone you choose, because this is America. I'm so sick of this racial name calling but I never hear it from the white, Chinese, Japanese, Islamic, Mexican, etc. people saying they are being discriminated against, because their are a lot that are. So get off the race card and quit using it to win an election!!! "

elgoode wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:42 PM:

" "I think what drew him to Trinity was the fact that I was one of the few black pastors in the late 1980's in the city of Chicago who had a seminary degree and could discuss religion, faith and public policy with him without trying to proselytize him or convince him that my views were the only right (or correct) views,....I tried to make him think more than tried to tell him what to think." - Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Some of the best times of my intellectual life have been spent with people whom I profoundly disagree with. How many of us totally agree with all that our pastors say from the pulpit? I will vote for Obama, a person with a mind of his own! "

illini-dog wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:04 PM:

" Has anyone watched youtube videos of this guy[wright]? When he said we deserved 9-11 and white people started the aids virus is when obama should have cut ties with him instead of calling him his spiritual mentor . "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:45 AM:

" TO: KTLIN

You're right. Some want to be elected because of their name (Clinton) and some feel they should be elected because of their race (Obama). And some want to be elected to line their own pockets (McCain). So who's better a socialist that has proposed increasing taxes across the board by 20% (Obama) or a socialist who is comparable to a certain leader of the Third Reich (Clinton) or a Dinosaur that will be the same as we've had for the past 20+ years (McCain)? As an Illinoisian I am SHOCKED that ANYONE from IL could vote for Obama. What was his ONE promise when running for senate? "I will do my job that I'm elected to and WILL NOT run for president." well he hasn't done squat for IL and Is running for president. Hmm, sounds like a man we can trust! "

ktlin wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:18 AM:

" to Red Reeky: Don't you realize that is why you have a channel changer. If this is the way his opposers are going to be shouldn't we uncover every rock that McCain or Hillary has something hid under? Because what we are talking about is not what Obama said at all but what has formed his opinions and the person he is now. So should we tear apart 5 years of McCains prisoner of war captivity. Think of what that will do to someones' mental state. Hillary changed her views from being a REpublican to a Democrat. Why? She stayed with Bill through lots of humiliation. Does that make her angry. Is that why she acts like she does? Think of all the people she has been involved with her are known criminals? Is that where we want to go. In the name of politics we want to trash the people that are running? Some want to be elected because of their name. Others don't. We should at least realize the difference. "

ktlin wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:13 AM:

" to Kevin: What makes you say that? Obama has been in elected office more than she has. And compare their votes and bills initiated. Being First Lady of anything does not give you any knowledge anymore than anyone. Technically I was First Lady of something. My husband was the president of it. Did I know a thing about it. No. Did I attend events. Sure. Just saying you have experience or just saying anything else doesn't matter. And Hillary says she has solutions. Name one solution that she has enacted. Health care? That was a failure. That is what she has invested the most time in. And when she claims to do something and it doesn't work she just blames someone else like Republicans for instance. That just doesn't cut it. YOu have to take responsibility and stand up when you are under fire. Not by crying and throwing things. By looking presidential. Has she done that ever? No! "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Now, I've always said I hate our gov't but I'm not running for president and if I was I would make my claims known ahead of time. Even with my "distaste" for our gov't I still love my country. Unlike the Obama's who've said "For the first time in my life I'm proud of America" (after Barrack won his first primary.) and neither myself or any of my "mentors" have never gone as far as to say "the United States of Ameri-KKK-a." So why is it again that a minority can spout the most racist rhetoric ever heard but if a white man does it he needs to be crucified? God I love hypocrisy. "

Red Reeky wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Defend him all you want, Obama has shown extemely poor judgement. He should have left this church years ago based on what he said in his speech yesterday. Reports are that news outlets have hours of this kind of stuff they can dribble out over the next 6 months, and I don't think he was successful in explaining away his membership in this church, his willingness to look the other way, and his inclusion of Pastor Wright on his election committee, knowing what he knew. "

Live Wire! wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:34 AM:

" Most Obama supporters have clearly already "drank the Kool Aid". They're so caught up in the cult of his personality that they can't see what is obvious to others. Obama is not who he pretends to be. Or they see it and just don't care. If any other candidate was a member of a church where this kind of hatred was preached, they not only would have been forced to withdraw from the Presidential race, but they'd be asked to resign their Senate seat. I initially thought Geraldine Ferraro was way off base, but now it's hard to argue with her. "

lizzie wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:07 AM:

" My respect for Obama has increased because he stepped up and defended himself and his beliefs. However, Clinton (Hillary) still has the better health plan!!

And Meh, your comment of people just voting rebublican got me laughing because it is so true. "

The original JD wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:58 AM:

" Obama is charismatic, of that there is no doubt. He still does not have a track record though, still has 'questionable' ties to people currently under indictment, and since getting elected to Congress he has spent more time on the Presidential trail that doing that job too. His platform is one of pandering. He has not said where he is going to get the money for all the votes he is going trying to buy, but you can bet that it will not be off the money tree. If he had been white, and attended a racist church sermon, the media would have dragged out the crucifix themselves for him, but since he is black it is 'understandable'. "

dt wrote on Mar 19, 2008 7:12 AM:

" I found it interesting that the analysts of the speech last night, whether on CNN, MSNBC, or FOX, were almost exclusively Black. If this is a Black-White issue, then, to increase objectivity, they should have disinterested analysts, perhaps Asians, included in their line-up of experts. "

chubbyalaskagriz wrote on Mar 19, 2008 6:33 AM:

" RE: "Kevin wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:26 PM:" A vote for McCain is a vote for what we have now? You're not doing your homework at all. McCain is so UNLIKE what we have now that almost all of his fellow Republicans cannot even STAND THE MAN! Put down the bottle, dude! "

iraT wrote on Mar 19, 2008 5:53 AM:

" Face it, Politicians are by the very nature liars, when they use words. i think the saying is actions speak louder than words. judging Mr O by his actions he is a liar, and racist. i am not saying other than that, judge on what have they done, not what do they say, Dont be influenced by a pretty face and pretty words, cause that makes you as shallow as they are. "

Annienap wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:22 AM:

" Yeh - Obama gives good speeches and Obama even preaches good, but where in the 'h' is his plan - step by step plan - to ending the war in Iraq? Where is his step by step plan for the economy? Where are ANY of his plans or proposed solutions for anything? ALL we ever hear from this guy is that Hillary voted for the war and he didn't, that he had a black father and white mother, that he can unify the people, BUT we NEVER hear his PLANS or PROPOSED SOLUTIONS for anything! He preaches and he gives speeches and that is ALL he does. Go Hillary!!!! "

chubbyalaskagriz wrote on Mar 19, 2008 4:15 AM:

" I like Obama but I remain undecided and I am also even more conflicted, to be honest. I believe the senator's speech was sincere, and it addressed several points for me, but not necessarily satisfactorily. I cannot help but acknowledge that in my 41 years of life, I have walked out of a church, disagreed with and denounced what my pastor was orating, broke ties and ceased my membership THREE TIMES. My father has done so once, that I know of. And so I am thinking- if ever there were a time when the gracious senator could and should have left his church, wasn't this the time? What could this pastor have possibly said that WOULD have offended Mr. Obama so much that his immediate departure from the pew would have resulted? "

jdl wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:14 AM:

" What a bunch of bull. You call it character to throw your life long spiritual adviser under the bus? Why did he have to use a teleprompter? if it was from the heart he would not have needed that. It was written for him to try and make it sound like JFK and Lincoln. For Senator Obama to say he never knew or heard any of this from his pastor is a joke. How many red flags do you supporters need? If you were inspired by this speach, you bought it, hook line and sinker. "

Independent? wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:05 AM:

" To compare the pastor of Obama's church to a KKK organization is absolutely obsurd. Before you judge everything on the 30 second clips that you have heard over and over the last couple weeks, take a look at what that church has done for the devastated community on Chicago's southside.
And to come to the conclusion based on Obama's speech today that he has some anti-white angst is absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous. Obama is a uniter which is why he was so quick to condemn the divisive words of his pastor. "

johnd wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:41 PM:

" Hillary could still pull it off.Dont forget Gore was President for a very short time first time around with Bush.The peoples vote did not matter then.Unless Obama gets in because of what there afraid will happen if he does not?I still have not forgot the OJ trial!Either way Obama or Hillary is better then what it would be if McCain got in and continued the path we have now. Obama makes him self look like a Jessie Jackson type.So what if his grandmother has issues so does his church. "

Kevin wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:26 PM:

" re: ktlin...because she has more experiance than obama and a vote for mccain is a vote for what we have now............1 big mess "

Santo Fan wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:15 PM:

" Remarkable speech. Simply remarkable. "

dwarf wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:19 PM:

" pseudo-intellectual, there's no need to "save" Obama's campaign. Mathematically, the only way Sen. Clinton can win is through overwhelming superdelegate support. Check the numbers, especially with the recent announcement from Florida and the tentative decisions in Michigan. "

Thoughts a Million wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:10 PM:

" Hmmm, so my choices are "stay the course in Iraq" McCain; Hillary and Bill (and Bill and Bill and Bill, etc.); or Obama. Any three of them perfect? No. But Obama gets my vote. "

ktlin wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:33 PM:

" to Kevin: I truly do not understand why. She and Bill just do not tell the truth. Just listen to Bill talk and there's obvious untruths. And I don't know how many people have said that what HIllary has said is not so. Is that okay? She has no experience. She is finally releasing White House records tomorrow so we will see somethings maybe. Do you think the prosperity of the Clinton years will come back? It won't. She will not usher in a Republican congress that will fix the economy like before. She just won't. A lot of people do not understand what happened in the Clinton years. Either that or they just don't remember. I don't want to have to go through that just to see that it didn't work and then hear her excuses. Like the 200,000 jobs she would produce in New York. Why didn't she? Because of the Republicans. That is what she said. Well there will be Republicans about so don't hold your breath waiting for any promise to be kept. "

Bluedog wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:31 PM:

" What ? Racism isn't dead in America. Come now surely we can talk about something else. Like Guns , God , Gays, " those " immigrants , welfare cheats, low- income folks, etc. Just a host of other divisive issues that are so much " easier '' to speak about . "

illini-dog wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:20 PM:

" To jarhead; It's hillarys fault that obama goes to a racist church ? Or maybe it's her fault that people are now finding out? It's funny you should rip on unions when they are the only ones that have black ''brothers'' that they stand by and fight for day by day. I agree we need to stop hating but you just keep on doing it to the union with your dribble. BTW most unions have endorsed obama but keep the idiotic posts coming. "

Common Sense Guy wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:53 PM:

" I'll add to katanauser's list. How would you like to have a President who has no backbone to stand for what he says he believes? I want a President who is a statesman who takes a stand for our country and not put up with such a hater. Not a mamby pamby one who won't speak up and take a stand based on his own beliefs. Wait a minute, maybe he really really doesn't have the beliefs he claims. Actions speak louder than words, and there was no action to stand. A mamby pamby President is not what I desire for a leader. "

Kevin wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:47 PM:

" I'm for Hillary all the way! "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:44 PM:

" Exactly what did Senator Obama say? I listened, and most of what I heard was a description of the racial divide in this country. It is too soon to say whether the speech has saved Obama's campaign for the Democratic nomination. It is way too soon to say it will help him to get elected president. On the contrary, today he seemed to confirm the suspicion of many that he carries some anti-white angst baggage... and that may spell defeat in November, even if he prevails over Clinton for the nomination. "

dwarf wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:35 PM:

" to Cavewoman - I don't think you listened to or read the speech. Did you miss the part where he unequivocally stated he has sat in some of Wright's incendiary sermons and disagrees with many of Wright's views? It's only about 7 or 8 minutes in... Didn't you make it that far? "

katanauser wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:27 PM:

" Lets be blunt, if it were John McCain with a pastor that was a KKK leader, there'd be a lynch mob forming by now.

To attend services regularly over 20 years with this kind of bigot, Mr Obama is either

a) not all there mentally because he didn't get the "message" and stop it's spread. So he is unfit to be president.
b) not being truthful about his own beliefs and his own speech this afternoon after 20 years of hate speech in this church
c) not a leader of any kind (churches with ministers they disagree with get them recalled/ replaced and Mr Obama didn't lead any effort to do that). I can only believe Mr Obama agrees with his minister.
d) some or all of the above.

Hold the Democrat to the same standard as you would a Republican.

Nothing will satisfy me until Mr Obama and his family leave that church and totally repudiate it's teachings and that of "Minister" Farrakan et al.

Until Mr Obama does he belongs in the same boat with Ron Paul who met with the Nazi's.
"

Jarhead71 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:18 PM:

" Anyone naive enough to believe that Billary is not directly involved in this is smoking some really good stuff. This smells of Bill Clinton dirty politics. Over and over again the media has played the not so right Reverend Wright's hate speech sermons. Clinton is losing and she has to defeat Obama in the only area that he is vulnerable, his race. For all of the democratness of Hillbillary, she carries the KKK vote in "working class white union workers", these are the most ignorant white biggots in the country. Obama wins among educated northern whites. What does that say? It is now time to get past all of the hate between races. It is time to move forward and take the next step. Vote Obama and stop believing the Clinton manipulations. "

dwarf wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:09 PM:

" It's the same arguments...

"What has he done?" Google it yourself instead of asking rhetorical questions.

"Why didn't he come forward before?" You mean come forward about legal business deals and not always agreeing with his pastor?

"He's just the same as every other politician" Maybe only if you totally disregard degree of shadiness. If you can compare Clinton (Whitewater, real estate, etc.); McCain (Keating Five S&L scandal), and Obama (his pastor is mean, and Rezko bought the house next door) then you really lack any reason or perspective.

"He's making pretty speeches, not doing anything!" As if the two are mutually exclusive.

"He's making an issue out of race!" Well, sure, now that the Clinton campaign and the media have. "

ktlin wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:00 PM:

" landlord: How many senators denounce their governors? Hillary denounces Bush and it comes across as pathetic (her word.) He did help bring video cameras to police cars and I think he ACTUALLY helped get healthcare to come who didn't have. He just doesn't say he did like Hillary does. He voted for ethics standards and has proposed 800 bills and voted 4000 times on issued. Keep in mind Wright is not the candidate. However, Bill Clinton was the candidate and he skated. And was elected twice. Obama said you can either quit the bickering and racebaiting now or keep it up election after election. Hopefully enough people will say enough is enough to may it enough. "

Cavewoman wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:54 PM:

" These analysts are obviously democrats...all Obama did was confirm that he's running as the black candidate. I thought he was supposed to be beyond all that (our uniter). First he states that he never heard Wright's hate speech, then today he says he did hear it and then excuses it. There is no excuse for racism...from either side. "

just a thought wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:35 PM:

" As far as our future and real race relation resolution? Yadda yadda. Another speech. I can only imagine what Obama has heard over the years in his district, let alone Trinity Church. Look past the words or better put, covering your hind end when people actually get to know your background bit by Republican bashing bit. "

Zeva wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:06 PM:

" Oh come on people, you never heard of Obama until Oprah and his running for president! I vote on principals and this man is trying to throw a smoke screen over these words that came out of someones mouth that he has clearly said he stands by. Can't wait to see if those words come back to haunt him. In the beginning I was all for him, but I have been doing some homework on him and his wife, I've changed my mind and now I don't know who to vote for, maybe I'll just skip it this year. We all know Hillary's past, and even McCain's past, and now it's coming out about Obama's past, which really needs to be scrutinized. "

Live Wire! wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:04 PM:

" I can't stomach Obama because I have a low tolerance for hypocrites. It's that simple. He got everyone's attention by pretending to be a different kind of politician. But now we know he's corrupt and lies just like all the rest of them. So I gave him a quick look, but there's nothing there. What interests me is the cult-like following he has. I agree with pseudo, I don't think people really hear what he says (because he doesn't really say anything), they're just mesmerized by the way he says it. "

Meh wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:45 PM:

" I agree with dwarf. Most of the bloggers here would never even consider voting for a Democrat. They'll just vote Republican and it doesn't really matter to them who they are voting for.

TUCC is a very large organization. Is Jeremiah Wright the only reason one would attend this church? What about the community service aspects? Oh, that's right, Bloomington-Normal Christians don't do community service. Its beneath them. "

sigh wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:44 PM:

" re:"Dwarf": This is important, he only addressed the issue at all because he was forced to. The real issue is that a potential President of the US is part of a USA hating racist organization and has been for 20 years. This preacher didn't become like this over night, he has been spewing the same bile for years. Either Obama is lying to say he has never been present for such a speech or he hasn't gone to the church since he has been a member. He even quotes the preacher in his book. How can a candidate lying and having racist and anti-American ties be irrelevant? It is a big issue, combine this with his not having done jack since being the senate, how is he even a front runner? If McCain were in this situation he would be denounced by everyone and not even have a ghost of a chance of winning the general election (rightfully so). I seriously think Obama could slaughter a baby in front of everyone on TV and he wouldn't lose supporters. "

Annienap wrote on Mar 18, 2008 3:38 PM:

" The nomination process has been about race from the beginning-when Oprah suggested Obama run for president. As time has gone on, we find more negatives about Obama. He could have addressed these issues a long time before he did by being HONEST from the beginning. He has played on the fact that he 'chose' to be black and, at one point, he attempted to sound like MLK-he doesn't even compare to MLK. This country will probably be in for pure hell should he get elected now. It's either Hillary for me now or no one at all. "

dwarf wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:12 PM:

" Oooh! Look at all the bloggers scramble to make someone who wants to make sure everyone has a place at the table look like a racist idiot.

You made up your minds long ago - don't pretend that this makes one iota of difference in how you'll vote in November.

Personally, I respect the fact the Obama faced this head-on rather than get bludgeoned by snide remarks. When your opponents want to make race an issue, you can't pretend it's not an issue. Get it out there, and be heard. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Mar 18, 2008 2:04 PM:

" I'm convinced most of Obama's supporters don't actually listen to what he says. They only look into his eyes. Obama didn't win me over today, even on the single issue of the controversial sermons given by his spiritual mentor. In fact, he endorsed him by failing to renounce him. Sen. Obama can't have it both ways- if words mean anything, then they definitely condemn Pastor Wright. I don't know how anyone could stand listening to this man's demagogic, hate-filled vitriol (mainly directed at America and whites) for the better part of 20 years... unless he agreed with him. "

jmkurz wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:54 PM:

" Can you imagine George Bush or John McCain trying to speak on these topics? The last Republican who could actually empathize like this with the realities faced by many Americans was Abraham Lincoln. And while we're on the subject of history, the last preacher to offend the establishment and challenge the pharisees like Reverend Wright was a guy named Jesus. The Romanpublicans crucified him too. "

cheesehead wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:46 PM:

" There is absolutely a white elephant in the "room" of the United States and I think this has probably brought it to the forefront. White people are continually being accused of being racist. And there definately are some. But, let's face it folks, there are black racists, asian racists, hispanic racist as well as white racists. Until we acknowledge that EVERY race has racists, we will never solve the problem. To those who disagree with me, answer this...if every white person disappeared from the face of the earth, would there still be racism?

And just my thoughts...OJ should never have been about a black man killing his white wife. It should have been about a man who killed his wife and got away with it. "

sigh wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:31 PM:

" re: "Tyrone": Huh? Do you even care about any of the important issues... things that will actually affect everyone? You will just vote for him because he has been caught as a member of a very racist organization and is good at talking his way out of it? "

Tyrone wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:15 PM:

" I am definitely voting for Mr. Obama now. His words are inspiring, heartfelt, and truthful. His information is based not only on his own personal experiences but the US history. Alleluia! Someone is finally talking about what has been the white elephant in the living room for decades and decades. I am not African American, but I am proud to be an American and this American is voting Obama all the way! "

landlord wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:43 PM:

" Can you name anything this man has done for the state of illinois since being elected? Has he ever publically denounced our corrupt governor?
It strikes me as a bold faced lie that he did not know about this ministers statements. He has said this is a mentor to him and the man that turned him to Jesus Christ. I heard that Oprah used to go to this church but stopped going quite a while ago due to the ministers troubling views. Are we to believe that Obama and his biggest supporter Oprah never discussed this ? Oh and he also did not know anything about what this Rezko character was up to. It's easy to claim ignorance when the facts make you look really, really bad. "

wewest wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:59 AM:

" You got to help yourselves before anything else.Get over the past it did not happen to you. "

Meh wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:56 AM:

" I'm glad to see Obama address this head on, rather than pull a Kerry and ignore this criticism. "

Houser wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:53 AM:

" Obama has known this guy preaches like this for 20 years. To claim ignorance is disingeneous at best. There are already reports from his campaign that they've been worrying about comments like these being made public for a year. Was Obama the only one who didn't know? Sounds more like Hillary all the time. "

Sometimes wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:49 AM:

" I support you 100% Obama! We need you in office!!! "

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